Sheffield United: Striking duo press their claims

James Shield
Sheffield United

CHRIS Porter insists he has returned to Sheffield United a happier and sharper player following a loan spell with Shrewsbury Town.

Porter spent a month with United’s League One rivals after a combination of injury and Dave Kitson’s arrival saw him fall down the pecking order at Bramall Lane.

But the striker, an unused substitute during last weekend’s defeat at Stevenage, has set his sights on holding down a regular starting role as the race for promotion enters its final stage.

“I feel a lot sharper than I was,” Porter told The Star. “And also in a better frame of mind too.

“When you’re not playing you can start to feel a little bit sorry for yourself and, if I’m honest, that’s probably how I was feeling.

“But getting some minutes under my belt has been a real help and now I’m looking forward to hopefully playing an important role here.”

Porter scored once in four starts for Town before being recalled ahead of United’s visit to the Lamex Stadium.

The 29-year-old hopes he will be among the beneficiaries of the tactical reshuffle which is expected to form part of manager Danny Wilson’s response to a sobering 4-0 reverse which saw them slip to third in the table and four points behind leaders Doncaster Rovers.

With second placed Brentford scheduled to visit South Yorkshire in four days time, Wilson indicated he could overhaul his starting eleven after watching United, previously unbeaten in seven outings, score only two goals in their last four games.

Porter, who appeared destined to form a promising partnership with Shaun Miller before the former Crewe Alexandra centre-forward damaged cruciate ligaments, said: “Obviously that’s off the cards now for this season at least but all of us up front can work together. There’s nothing to stop that at all.”

Meanwhile, Joe Ironside has extended his contract with United until at least the summer of 2015.

Wilson said: ““Joe has done very well this season and taken advantage of us having a limited number of striking options. Let’s hope he can develop into the very good player we expect him too.”